LINE AND FLOAT. 77 



ably be as fine, and at the same as strong, as it is 

 possible to obtain them. Raw unbleached silks are 

 infinitely stronger than the ordinary bleached ones. 

 The fine "dram" silks are equal in strength, and 

 occasionally superior, to the coarser, more bulky, and 

 heavier. With the extra fineness of texture, it is 

 needless for us to add the scarcity of the article is 

 found to range. 



Plaited lines should always be preferred to twist, 

 cable-laid though it be ; the miseries of a line always 

 twisting and curling being only equalled by the con- 

 stant breaking of a tender one. A line of one-half 

 the substance of another, if dressed in a proper 

 manner, will be found to be much stiffer and less 

 liable to " kink." With regard to colour, in habitu- 

 ally discoloured waters, green or sandy-brown should 

 be used ; in fine, clear, and open waters, a pale grey 

 or cloud colour is the best tint. 



No more weights or sinkers must be employed than 

 can possibly be avoided. The same observation also 

 applies to the float. A cork should never be used 

 when it may be effectually substituted by a quill. 

 Lastly, never use even a quill when no float is really 

 needed. We have oftentimes made a first-rate float 

 of a moderate-sized leaf ; a sycamore, chestnut, birch, 

 or oak tree, when so situate as to extend over the 

 water, affords admirable facilities for this. A worm, 

 fly, maggot, or what-not is attached in the usual way 

 upon a slightly-weighted gut line. A leaf is then 

 procured, the shank being split up the centre care- 

 fully until the middle of the leaf is reached. The 



